COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The state’s elections chief says more than 272,000 absentee ballots have been cast ahead of the fall election.

Ohioans can vote absentee by mail or in person before Nov. 4. Early voting began two weeks ago. Voters will choose the next governor along with other statewide officeholders.

Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO’-sted) says of those who voted absentee, fewer than 34,000 voted in person and more than 238,000 voted by mail. His office says the figures are based on an informal survey of Ohio’s county boards of elections as of Friday.

More than 7.7 million Ohioans were registered to vote as of Oct. 1.

There’s still time to vote early, including this Saturday. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is noon Nov. 1.